T1200-039
Frankaa Or Asafo Military Flag
African Tribal
Ghana
West Africa
Fante People
20th C.
Cotton Applique
Even though the Akan societies in Ghana had no standing army, the asafo or people’s militia, was a well established social and political organization based on military principles. Each asafo group is identified by a particular name and number and through a set of symbols displayed prominently on its flag. Verbal proverbs, a significant facet of Akan culture, are represented by colored cutout figures appliqued on the cotton ground.